DOPPLER ANALYSIS OF THE TESTICULAR ARTERY CAN BE USED IN ASSESSMENT OF SPERMATOGENESIS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine Mansoura University,

2 Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine Mansoura University

3 Radiology Department, Faculaty of Medicine Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Aim: It is quite clear that varicoceles are detrimental to testicular growth and spermatogenesis. However, the majority 
of men with varicoceles are fertile because the effect is modest or they started with a high spermatogenic potential and 
remained within the fertile range despite the adverse effect of the varicocele. 
Methods: The study was conducted between April 2008 and January 2009 and included 62 men of them 7 men with 
obstructive azoospermia, 9 with unobstructive azospermia, 2 oligoasthenospermia and clinical varicocele, 7 with male 
accessory gland inflammation (MAGI) and clinical varicocele, 2 with MAGI alone, 3 with unexplained 
oligoasthenospermia, 2 with clinical varicocele, 12 subjects with normal sperm analysis and recent paternity, and 18 
with normal sperm analysis and a varicocele with recent paternity. PSV, EDV, RI and testicular volume were compared 
among the dyspermic and / or control groups using analysis of variance. 
Results: The PSV and RI were useful for identifying the different groups of patients. Fertile men with varicocele, men 
with varicoceles + MAGI and those having UOA + varicocele had the highest PSV and RI. Men with unexplained 
oligoasthenospermia and men with UOA had the lowest PSV and RI. 
Conclusions: The PSV and RI are reliable indicators to identify infertile/dyspermic men as they differentiate obstructive 
from unobstructive azospermia. 

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